The color guard and firing squad of American Legion Post 11 have to get to and from veterans’ funerals somehow.

A 1979 Ford E450 bus — a beast that seats 22, has no air conditioning and suspect heating, and gets a full 5.4 miles to the gallon — is the thing now. The odometer reads 79,000-plus, but no one’s sure whether that is short another 100,000 miles. The odometer goes out only five digits.

“Look, at our ages, you have to keep guys warm in the winter and cool in the summer,” said Dave Dispennett, a co-commander of the Post 11 honor guard. “Right now, I think the bus knows we’re wanting to replace it, because it’s running really well. ... But you can’t have a bunch of guys this old pushing it when it breaks down, either.”

Post 11 is nursing the bus along through an average of three funerals every two weeks as it raises money for a newer one.

The post has raised $12,000 through donations from members. The honor guard will look to raise more with a casino night on March 2.

If you go: Get On the Bus Gala, 5-11 p.m. March 2 at American Legion Post 11, 1801 S. Ninth St. in Lafayette

Tickets: $25. Tickets are available at Post 11, 1801 S. Ninth St. in Lafayette. For more information, call 765-474-5851.